Essential Question: Did all groups have access to the American Dream?

Should the government help immigrants reach the “American Dream?”

On a piece of paper, add a the title, “Comparing and Contrasting Social Darwinism and the Social Gospel.”

#1 – Answer the following questions on your paper. With hard work, perseverance, and intelligence, anyone can be successful. Those who are not successful can only blame themselves. Agree or disagree? Explain with at least 3 examples.

In the following slides, there will be a series of opinion-based statements. Rewrite the statement and then simply write “agree” or “disagree” after each statement.

#2 - You see a homeless person with a sign asking for food…you secretly think that its probably their own fault that they are homeless…probably a drug addict.

#3 - There is a higher percentage of minorities in prison because they commit more crimes.

#4 - Its their own fault if people are on welfare.

#5 - We have only had white presidents in the United States because they were always the most qualified.

# 6 - Rich people are smarter than poor people, that’s why they’re rich.

#7 - I’m tired of people blaming there problems on slavery…slavery ended over 100 years ago.

#8 - The students in AP classes are the smarter ones.

# 9 - The strongest people always win.

# 10 - Ethnic minorities always blame their problems on others.

# 11 - Smarter people always go to better colleges and universities.

# 12 - Its not the government’s job to fix poverty.

# 13 - The United States should not go around the world trying to fix other countries problems.

# 14 - We should get rid of the welfare system in the United States.

# 15 - Poor people could be rich if they worked harder.

If you found yourself agreeing with many of the questions, you may agree with Social Darwinism. If you found yourself disagreeing with many of the questions, you may agree with Social Gospel.

Social Darwinism vs. Social Gospel Responses to Urban Problems

Social Darwinism v. Social Gospel Today Create a venn diagram like the one shown below. The following slides will provide statements or names of people. Write the statement or person under the correct belief. Social Darwinism Social Gospel

Oprah Winfrey

Introduced by Herbert Spencer.

Addressed the urban and industrial society of the 19th century.

Supported laissez-faire policies.

Based on Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

Christians are responsible for helping workers and the poor.

Jane Addams

Explained the situation of the poor.

Used by robber barons to support their business practices.

Competition is normal, there are winners and losers, and the winners do not owe the losers anything.

Fueled overseas expansion (imperialism)

Christians should organize and create a “kingdom of God” on earth